Dick Farley was a former captain of Boston University's football and track teams. A three-year letter winner in track and football, Farley set records in both sports. He received the Mickey Cochrane Award as BU's top athlete in 1967 and the E. Ray Speare Award as the top student-athlete in 1968.
The team captain in 1967, Farley won the Harry Agganis Memorial Award as the MVP of the football team. In addition to being named All-New England and All-East by both wire services, the 6-foot-1, 190-pound Danvers native was named to the College Division All-America team and was later signed by the San Diego Chargers. His professional football career lasted only two years as a back injury forced him to retire.
Farley began his Terrier career as a halfback and finished second on the team in scoring (26 points). Then-head coach Warren Schmakel switched him to safety his junior year and he led the team in interceptions with five.
"We needed a fast and agile safety man with good size to protect us deep," Schmakel said of the move. "Even though he was one of our top scorers, I felt that Dick could be of better service on defense."
It was a well-known fact that Farley had speed as he was one of BU's top trackmen. Farley ran the 100-yard dash in 9.9 seconds. It was just one of the 14 different events he competed in while a Terrier.
A co-captain of the 1968 team along with Hall of Famer Dave Hemery, Farley excelled in the triple jump (44'2") and ran the anchor leg on the mile relay team. As an example of his versatility, Farley ran the intermediate hurdles also and was a finalist at the IC4A meet.
Farley came to BU from St. John's Prep in Danvers. A co-captain of the football team, Farley earned All-Catholic League and All-North Shore honors. He also lettered in track and baseball.
